A Spotlight on Saskatchewan Access to Justice Initiatives An Awareness Campaign The objective for the Awareness Campaign is to highlight some of the excellent work that members of the Saskatchewan Access to Justice Working Group and other justice and community stakeholders have undertaken to help improve access to justice for Saskatchewan residents. Downloadable campaign cards highlighting new access to justice initiatives featured daily during the week on the Law Society Blog: lsslib.wordpress.com The following organizations are proud contributors to the inaugural Saskatchewan Access to Justice Week: College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Justice, Government of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench, Saskatchewan Provincial Court, Law Society of Saskatchewan, Canadian Bar Association - Saskatchewan Branch, Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, CLASSIC (Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon's Inner-City Inc.), Other Members of Saskatchewan Legal Community and General Public. October 18-25, 2016 Coordinated by Brea Lowenberger, Access to Justice Coordinator, with support from the Law Society. For more info, contact b.lowenberger@usask.ca.
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan Free Legal Clinics Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan offers free legal clinics throughout the province of Saskatchewan. The clinics are important in improving access to justice for Saskatchewan residents, as lawyer volunteers provide free legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford a lawyer and do not qualify for Legal Aid. Income testing does apply. Lawyers at the clinics generally do not represent clients in court, but do provide ongoing legal advice to help clients move their legal matter forward. Lawyers may also make referrals for further assistance. Clinic locations are currently in Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Estevan, Weyburn, Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Meadow Lake, North Battleford, La Ronge and Prince Albert. Contact: www.pblsask.ca
Canadian Bar Association Reaching Equal Justice Report The Canadian Bar Association's Reaching Equal Justice report is an invitation to all justice stakeholders to envision and act to improve access to justice across Canada. The report outlines why significant change is necessary, equal justice strategies, and recommendations regarding how to make the equal justice vision real. CBA Saskatchewan invites you to read the report and to join the conversation and action to improve access to justice for Saskatchewan residents. Contact: cba.org/cba-equal-justice
Therapeutic Courts Therapeutic Courts take a problem-solving approach to justice. They address the social and personal issues such as poverty, addiction, mental illness and abuse underlying or causing a person s criminal behavior. Saskatchewan s Provincial Court has established several therapeutic courts in recent years including domestic violence and drug treatment courts. Participants are typically required to admit responsibility for their actions by entering a guilty plea, and their participation must not pose a risk to public safety. They play an important role in improving access to justice, as they enable access for Saskatchewan residents to appropriate treatment and information to address those social and personal issues.
Conducting Efficient Litigation Within the New Queen s Bench Rules (CPD-140) Tuesday Nov 1, 2016 (Saskatoon) Thursday Nov 3, 2016 (Regina) This unique and important opportunity for lawyers has been spearheaded by The Honourable Chief Justice M.D. Popescul who has the following comments: A critical component of the 'Access to Justice' solution is to teach lawyers how to conduct litigation efficiently so that they can obtain an acceptable result for their client when the other side is unreasonable, unwilling to settle or where one's legal case is so good that one ought not compromise. This seminar will focus on practical tips from experienced counsel and judges and will include guidance on how the new Rules of Court can be used to advantage. Register: lawsociety.sk.ca/media/149513/litigationwithqbrules2016_140.pdf
Essential Voices Program The Essential Voices program brings the voice of lived experience into conversation with policy and programming. The program is important in improving access to justice for Saskatchewan residents, as it recognizes the coming together of two strong stories: when someone with lived experience of the issues with the justice system has a voice and a paid role in decision-making for policy, programming, or services. Essential Voices is a program of ICM... ICM - building relationships of solidarity, justice and compassion. Contact: http://essentialvoices.ca ACCESS TO or icmsaskatoon@gmail.com JUSTICE WEEK
NewLI: PLEA Launches Legal Information Website for Newcomers provides plain language legal information about laws, governments and the justice system. It promotes access to justice for this vulnerable segment of the population by allaying fears that may keep newcomers from confidently participating in and benefiting from Canada s justice and administrative systems. View the website: newli. plea.org
Pro Bono Students Canada USask Chapter Partners With PLEA to Improve Access to Family Justice Pro Bono Students Canada USask Chapter (PBSC) has partnered with Public Legal Education Association (PLEA) to deliver Family Law Information drop-in sessions every Tuesday from 1:00-3:00 pm at the PLEA office, located at 500-333 25th St E in Saskatoon. The 2016-2017 sessions run until March 28th, with the exception of November 8th, December 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and February 21st. The drop-in sessions help to improve access to justice for Saskatchewan residents since the goal is to help members of the public navigate the family law court process, and fill out the forms necessary for their court applications using PLEA s self-help website, Family Law Saskatchewan at familylaw.plea.org. Contact: flac.pbsc@gmail.com
Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Self-Help Guides Navigating through proceedings in the Court of Appeal without the assistance of a lawyer can be difficult. As a result, the Court has developed self-help guides that provide stepby-step instructions for managing both civil and criminal appeals. The guides are drafted in plain language to ensure they are accessible to lay people. View the guides: www.sasklawcourts.ca > Court of Appeal > What OCTOBER If I Don t 18-25Have a Lawyer
Newcomers Justice Presentations and Tours Working with Regina Open Door, presentations on the justice system and tours of Provincial Court are provided throughout the year to immigrants and refugees involved in settlement programs, including those taking a course towards citizenship. The sessions highlight the court system in Saskatchewan and show how it fits into Canada s democratic society. Tours are intended to provide newcomers with an introduction to the idea of a fair, independent and accountable judicial system, so that they have a comfortable understanding of its purpose and process. The next step is to bring the information session on courts and the justice system to newcomers residing in other Saskatchewan locations.
Release of Rehabilitative Alternatives to Incarceration: a Handbook of Community and Government Programs in Saskatchewan CLASSIC s Systemic Initiatives Program (SIP) is pleased to release Rehabilitative Alternatives to Incarceration: a Handbook of Community and Government Programs in Saskatchewan, which identifies rehabilitative program options across Saskatchewan for individuals in conflict with the law. The purpose of the Handbook is to increase about community and government resources that provide alternatives to custodial sentences, particularly for Indigenous peoples. The ultimate aim is to reduce the representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system by providing programming alternatives that address criminogenic factors and promote healing in the lives of Indigenous people, their families and communities. View Handbook: www.classiclaw.ca under "Community Resources"
Family Matters Program: Assisting Families through Separation and Divorce The Family Matters program aims to minimize the impact of separation and divorce on all family members especially children, by providing: information and resources to deal with a changing family situation; and assistance to resolve urgent and outstanding issues. The program improves access to justice for Saskatchewan residents because, in spite of the availability of quality information and services, the current challenge for many is to identify what is available, access it, understand it, and use it to make quality choices. The earlier separating families are able to address their issues, the more likely they will be able to reach resolution and minimize the negative impact, both emotionally and financially, on themselves and their OCTOBER children. 18-25 Contact: familymatters.gov.sk.ca
Dean's Forum on Dispute Resolution & Access to Justice "The Dean's Forum on Dispute Resolution & Access to Justice is important in improving access to justice for Saskatchewan residents because it engages law students with justice and community stakeholders to create policy aimed at improving access to justice for the public. The impact of the initiative on me as a young lawyer has been to consider the significant barriers in access to justice in our community. It has given me perspective regarding the practice of law and has given me direction for the future of my legal career. The Dean's Forum has been a great opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of all of the members and invitees." - 2014 Dean's Forum Student Alumnus Learn OCTOBER more: 18-25 law.usask.ca/deansforum and youtube.com/watch?v=sbjy9gqb6wu
The Saskatchewan French-Speaking Jurists Association French Legal Information Centre The French Legal Information Centre is part of the Saskatchewan French-Speaking Jurists Association. The centre helps to improve access to justice by providing legal information in French for Saskatchewan residents: explanations on laws and rules of court by a legal agent, reference services to French-speaking lawyers or to a specialized agency, research and direction in French for people in the justice system, and access to resources and computer equipment, etc. in a French-speaking environment. The centre also increases access to legal education in French by offering workshops and conferences for practitioners, mock trial workshops, pedagogical tools and student debates, and training for professionals in the legal field. Contact: www.saskinfojustice.ca